The Spanish capital was bustling on Friday as royals and dignitaries jetted in from around the world in readiness for the wedding of Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe and his bride-to-be Letizia Ortiz.

Among those taking in the sights in the nearby sleepy village of Aranjuez - famous for its strawberries and as a summer retreat for past Spanish monarchs - was Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, who arrived in Spain on Thursday.

While the Japanese heir to the throne was able to check out the tourist spots, other guests arrived on the eve of the big day, cutting down on their time to explore.